King Arthur had had Letters Sealed and sent to every land summoning lords and knights to attend a court at Pennevoiseuse by the Welsh sea at the feast of Saint John. The knights of the Round Table, who were scattered throughout the lands and forests, heard the news and were filled with joy, and returned to the court with all speed. Sir Gawain and Lancelot did not come on the day decreed, but the other knights of the court made their arrival, every one.

Saint John’s Day came. The weather was fine and clear and the hall was high and wide and filled with a great throng of knights. Cloths were laid on the tables, of which there were many in the hall, and when the king and queen had washed and were seated at the head of one table, all the knights sat down – and there were at least five hundred present. Kay the seneschal and Sir Yvain, son of King Urien, were serving at the table that day along with twenty-five knights, and Lucan the butler served the king with his cup of gold. The sun streamed in through the windows all around the hall, and the floor was strewn with rushes and flowers and wild mint, filling the air with a heady fragrance.

The first course had been served and everyone was waiting for the second when three maidens suddenly entered the hall. The first was riding a mule, whiter than snow, with a head-piece of gold and an ivory saddle inlaid with precious stones, and a saddle-cloth of red samite traced with gold. The maiden had a most comely body, and she was clad in a rich silken gown, with a fine head-dress flowing all around her head, laden with jewels that blazed like fires. And it was well that her head was covered thus, for she was quite bald. Her right arm was hung in a sling embroidered with gold, and rested on the richest cushion ever seen, set about with little golden bells. And in her hands she held the head of a king, sealed with silver and crowned with gold.